After all "that", I advised my wife to turn down MICU/ACC position today.

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Here's why:

1. First and foremost she was told that she would get up to three clients straight off orientation. This is an ACC/MICU dealing mostly in trauma patients at a busy level one trauma center in a major metropolitan area.

2. Training/orientation would consist of the following:

a. First six weeks would be two days a week in the classroom with an additional two twelve hour shifts working on the floor with a preceptor.

b. The next six weeks would have no classroom and would involve three twelves along with a preceptor.

c. The final six weeks would have no preceptor, but she would have a so called "mentor" with whom she could consult. At this point she could be assigned up to three clients. Although, they say she would never have more than one "critical" client with the other two being so called "progressive" (not sure what the criteria is for progressive since they are still to sick for the PCU or the floor). ACLS and PALS would not be offered during this stage of her training unless she did these classes above and beyond the above mentioned shifts.

d. Out of approximately 110 nurses about 15 are travel/agency, 10 are new nurses, and two SNES.

e. It would be night shift, and she wouldn't be with the same nurses most of the time.

f. There is a new manager.

On the up side the exiting manager did say that they've had many successful CRNA applicants out of this ICU. My analysis is that this may simply be "too acute" an environment for her at this point in her career.

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Why are you the one that is making all of these decisions for her? What are her thoughts on this?

By the way, MICU units usually take care of medical patients, not trauma patients. I am sure that this facility has either a large Surgical ICU or even a separate Trauma ICU.

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.
Why are you the one that is making all of these decisions for her? What are her thoughts on this?

By the way, MICU units usually take care of medical patients, not trauma patients. I am sure that this facility has either a large Surgical ICU or even a separate Trauma ICU.

:yeahthat:

As I was reading your rationale, I could not help but think, "Why are you making this decision for your wife?"

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I will resist the temptation to say that I believe that all decisions that women make should have to be approved by males before implementation (just kidding!). Seriously, we make most of our bigger decisions after consulting one another given that the decisions that we make effect one another so profoundly.

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.
I will resist the temptation to say that I believe that all decisions that women make should have to be approved by males before implementation (just kidding!). Seriously, we make most of our bigger decisions after consulting one another given that the decisions that we make effect one another so profoundly.

But, you just DID say it :nono: :nono: :nono: :nono: :smackingf

Seriously, it is good to see that spouses make decisions together. It was strange seeing your comments FOR her is all.

Cannot advise you on the decision. Gotta do what ya gotta do.

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Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.

It would disturb me if my spouse was THIS involved in my career and the decisions associated with it.

That's all i'm going to say about this trend on this board i've been noticing for at least 6 months.

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I do not see one problem with that orientation, what did you expect her to get? Depending on how truly critical those patients are, I do not like three patients in a regular ICU situation. But ACC is usually one step down. But the reasons that you have given?????

You have pushed for so long for her to get an ICU position, and now that she has had it offered, you are against it. Not sure where you are coming from anymore.

And what happens if she does get into anesthesia school? Are you going to tell her that she can't do a rotation at a certain facility because she may have to work too many hours? That her orientation wasn't long enough for what she needs to learn?

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It would disturb me if my spouse was THIS involved in my career and the decisions associated with it.

That's all i'm going to say about this trend on this board i've been noticing for at least 6 months.

:yeahthat:

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The reason that I posted the scenario was to get useful input in case I/we were missing something. It appears that we were since neither of us realized that ACC was a step down from any other ICU scenario. In addition, she has two more interviews over the coming weeks in ICU's where she would only have one client max (basically, it is my opinion that it is better to start in a situation where you will only have one patient, cetaris paribus.)actually, I just consulted with her and she indicated that this ICU (the one she just interviewed for) was created some time ago by "mixing" a 25 bed ICU (which was on one floor) and a 15 bed PCU which was on the floor below. Therefore, it would seem that some clients might be "PCU" type patients, while others might be ICU.

As to my getting involved in her furture schedule as a CRNA (or anything else she might do), I have no doubt that, that will in fact be the case. Just as she is intimately involved in both my school and work schedule even now. When you have kids, depend on daycare, work full time, go to school full time, and commute two hours each way to school, and have a budget that balances by about ten cents each month, careful planning and coordination are essential.

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Hi, this is the first time I have ever posted but I lurk quite a bit. I think you might be talking about a trauma 1 hospital in Indianapolis. I work in the NCC at this hospital which is very closely linked with ACC. That is the orientation I had when I started last August and let me tell you it should be more than enough for her to get started. I know that the preceptors in my unit are very supportive as are the charge nurses. Now with regards to have three patients and one only being critical that's bull. Right now the acuity is so high I usually have two very critical patients but in NCC we never take 3 patients ever. That said in my unit we usually staff enough to have 3 one-on-one patients. We also have a mix of travelers but in my limited experience the travelers have been very talented nurses and are well integrated into the unit. I think that this is wonderful opportunity for your wife and she will get the experience she needs to excel in CRNA school. Let me know if you have more questions.

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Specializes in Oncology/Haemetology/HIV.

That's all i'm going to say about this trend on this board i've been noticing for at least 6 months.

Six monthes!!!!! Try 12 or more.

Marie, you have been in the "ADN vs BSN" and "Should pot be legal?" threads too much.

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Well, I'm nothing if not obsessive. In this case I'm simply attempting to bring the best possible analysis to an important decision.

Six monthes!!!!! Try 12 or more.

Marie, you have been in the "ADN vs BSN" and "Should pot be legal?" threads too much.

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